Mark Pitzer

CANFIELD — Boardman’s fire chief resigned Tuesday to become deputy chief at the Cardinal Joint Fire District.

Mark Pitzer’s resignation, effective Aug. 7, was confirmed by Boardman Township Administrator Mark Ragozine. He joined the department in 2003 and was named chief in July 2014.

He was hired Tuesday following an executive session of the CJFD board. He will be paid $92,000 per year.

“Mark interviewed well and was a good fit,” said board member Richard Russo.

Also at Tuesday’s session, the board passed the 2027 budget that included carryovers in the general fund and equipment fund. Both carryovers exceed the 50% of expenditures threshold for the year, which could trigger a hearing with the Mahoning County Budget Commission.

“Any funds in a carryover balance beyond the 50% level is subject to a hearing,” said Fire District Fiscal Officer Pattie Prince.

She said the fire district has such carryovers in both the general fund and the equipment fund, but both have a specific reason — the purchase of vehicles.

“We plan to purchase two ambulances at a cost of $440,000 each and a new fire truck that will cost $1.3 million,” Prince said. “Those are big expenses.”

She said the district does have quotes for all three, which shows the intent to use the excess unencumbered funds.

In the general fund, the total estimated expenditures in the 2027 budget are approximately $4.5 million, of which the 50% mark is approximately $2.3 million. The estimated carryover is nearly $2.8 million, Prince said.

In the equipment fund, the total estimated expenditures for 2027 are $596,355, of which the 50% mark would be $298,178. The expected 2027 carryover balance is $357,189.

“We’ve got the big carryovers, but we have big expenses coming for the ambulances and fire truck,” said board President Dave Knarr.

Prince said the proof of having the quotes for the vehicles clearly shows the intent of the carryovers. She said there should not be a problem for the district. The board unanimously approved the 2027 budget amounts.